An afternoon session on patch, and well worth it. After Laurence (Pitcher) heard and briefly saw what he strongly suspected to be a Cetti's Warbler on the north bank of the ER four days ago, Paul (Robinson) and I spent the afternoon (til dusk) staking out the spot in the hope of a vocal burst or glimpse, but with no luck; likewise the following morning, when Laurence and I tried brief luring with phrases of call and song via an MP3 player and speakers.

So it was a pleasant surprise (having temporarily forgotten about it) when the bird rattled out an unmistakable call, the first of three phrases within half an hour (between 1415 & 1445). A brief view was a bonus, albeit in flight and for no more than a couple of seconds, thanks to one of the resident foxes darting into the reeds where the bird was hidden. Evidently pretty mobile (the bird was present on the other side of the ER, 180 degrees from Laurence's initial suspected record), hopefully it'll stick around for a while.

A new species for the site and the area, and a nice bonus in these dark and tempestuous days.

recent records

END OF FEBRUARY 2008: at least one Mediterranean Gull still regularly visiting Clapton Common Pond; Blackcaps singing in private garden (Albion Road) and Abney Park Cemetery, where several pairs of Stock Doves are paired up for breeding; a Kingfisher and up to seven Reed Buntings present at Stoke Newington Reservoirs. Winter thrushes still well represented, with Redwings in Clissold Park and high numbers of Redwings and Fieldfares at Walthamstow Marshes. Clissold Park has the usual winter ducks, including up to ten Pochard and 15 Shoveler.

LATE FEBRUARY 2008: Great Black-backed Gull, Kingfisher, singing Blackcap and several Reed Buntings at Stoke Newington reservoirs (& 3 Jackdaws over on 25th); 2 Siskins in Abney Park, 23rd; Jack Snipe, up to 27 common Snipe, up to 22 Meadow Pipits, pair of Stonechats, good numbers of Fieldfare and Redwing at Walthamstow Marshes.

MID-FEBRUARY 2008: up to 2 Mediterranean Gulls present at Clapton Common, coming down to food with Black-headed Gulls. Blackcap singing along northern perimeter of Abney Park Cemetery from mid-month. Red-crested Pochard pair still present at the East Reservoir until 15th at least. Peacock butterfly in Clissold Park, 08/02 - the first of the year. Yellow-legged Gull and Lesser Redpoll present at Stoke Newington Res., 08/02. Female Brambling still present in Clissold Park (SE corner), last seen 08/02. Goldcrests and Redwings widespread locally. Redshank flushed from Walthamstow Marshes, 08/02.

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Lucky enough to spend plenty of my time enjoying birds and wildlife as my bread and butter and drug of choice, I've an east coast Bird Observatory on my doorstep here in Filey and a second just down the road at Flamborough. I'm a field ornithologist, nature writer, speaker and guide, a role juggler here at the Obs and a musician / songwriter with my band Morning Bride.